Stackable containers with support band

ABSTRACT

A food carrying system comprises a plurality of food service items including at least one container and optionally one or more plates, drink carriers, and/or trays. At least one of the food service items includes opposing strap openings formed in an edge, encircling flange, or opposed flange handles thereof. A support band encircles the stack, passing through the strap openings, and ends thereof are affixed together to stabilize the stack and in embodiments providing a hand-hold for carrying the stack. The band can further extend through a strap opening provided in a separate handle, so that the stack can be carried using the handle. Strap openings can be provided on lids and/or bases of the containers. Strap openings can be closed ovals, or can be C-shaped, having open outer edges. Band ends can be joined by adhesive, hook-and-loop, knot tying, stapling, snaps, buttons, etc.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/055,889, filed Nov. 16, 2020, which is a national phase applicationof PCT application No. PCT/US2019/032865, filed May 17, 2019, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/673,643, filedMay 18, 2018. Each of these applications are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to food carrying systems, and more particularly,to a food carry system that can be used to transport food away from alocation where it is prepared to a remote location for consumption suchas a home or hotel room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic containers for holding food and consumer goods are in commonuse. Oftentimes, such containers are used to convey prepared food to auser by a restaurant or other food service establishment, whereby thefood is either consumed by the user at the restaurant, with furtherassistance by restaurant staff, or carried out by the user in thecontainer(s) for subsequent consumption at home, work, or anotherlocation. Typically, containers used for this purpose are referred to as“take-out,” “takeaway,” or “to-go” containers.

Frequently, a takeout order includes batched meal requests for one ormore persons requiring multiple containers and food items to be preparedand transported together. Additionally, dinnerware items such as plates,cutlery, napkins and condiments may also be included for customerconvenience. Once an order is complete, the multiple containers anddinnerware items are typically packaged into a paper or plastic carryingbag to assist the user in transporting the various items to thedestination where it will be consumed.

It is well recognized by people of ordinary skill in the art thatplacing multiple containers into a carrying bag while still keeping foodcontainers level to avoid tipping and spillage of food contents can bedifficult. In addition, it can be difficult for the customer to removethe containers and dinnerware from the carrying bag without tipping thecontainers, inadvertently detaching the container lids, and/or spillingthe food. Furthermore, paper and plastic carrying bags, when filled withmultiple containers and dinnerware items, may be susceptible to breakageand ripping. An additional concern regarding plastic bags is that manycommunities have banned or are considering banning such items due toecological concerns, thereby narrowing the options available for foodproviders.

Therefore, there is a need for a food transporting solution that allowsfood service providers to better organize multiple containers andancillary items for takeout and carrying purposes, and enables users tosafely and conveniently transport the containers and their contents to aremote location for consumption, without spillage or undue disturbanceof the food.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a food carrying system that allowsfood service providers to better organize multiple containers andancillary items for takeout and carrying purposes, and enables users tosafely and conveniently transport the containers and their contents to aremote location for consumption, without spillage or undue disturbanceof the food.

The disclosed food carrying system includes a plurality of foodcontainers and/or dinnerware that can be linked together by a ribbon,strip, band, or strap. Each of the food containers can contain the sameor different types of food.

According to the present disclosure, at least one of the containersand/or dinnerware items includes a pair of opposing flange handles, eachof which includes a strap opening. When the food containers and/ordinnerware items are stacked, a support band can be threaded through thestrap openings so that it surrounds the stack. The ends of the band canthen be joined together to stabilize the stack. In embodiments, slack inthe band provides a hand hold that is useful for carrying the stack. Insome embodiments, a hole is provided in the band ends above the joininglocation, thereby configuring the band ends as a carrying handle for thestack. In other embodiments, a separate handle configured with a strapopening is threaded onto the band. The band openings can be closed oropen.

A first general aspect of the present invention is a food carryingsystem that includes a plurality of stackable food service items, saiditems including at least one stackable container having a base and alid, at least one of the food service items including a pair of opposedstrap openings, and a support band configured for threading through thestrap openings and encircling the food service items when stacked, endsof said band being configured for mutual engagement with each other,thereby enabling said encircled food service items to be maintained in astack during lifting and transport.

In embodiments, the lid of the stackable container includes a pair ofthe opposed strap openings.

In any of the above embodiments, the base of the stackable container caninclude a pair of the opposed strap openings.

In any of the above embodiments, for at least one of the food serviceitems the strap openings can be formed in a surrounding edge thereof.

In any of the above embodiments, for at least one of the food serviceitems the strap openings can be formed in a surrounding flange thereof.

In any of the above embodiments, for at least one of the food serviceitems the strap openings can be formed in opposing flange handlesthereof.

In any of the above embodiments, the food service items can furtherinclude a dinnerware item. In some of these embodiments, the dinnerwareitem is a plate. In any of these embodiments, the dinnerware item can bea tray.

In any of the above embodiments, the ends of the support band caninclude openings configured for mutual alignment when the ends of theband are fixed together, said openings thereby forming a handle usefulfor carrying the stacked food service items.

Any of the above embodiments can further include a handle, said handlecomprising a strap opening through which the support band can bethreaded so as to facilitate carrying the stacked food service items.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the strap openings canbe closed, thereby forming an oval shape.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the strap openings canbe open on an outer side thereof, thereby forming a C shape.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the food service itemscan not include strap openings.

A second general aspect of the present invention is a method ofmaintaining and transporting a stack of food service items. The methodincludes providing a plurality of stackable food service items, saiditems including at least one stackable container having a base and alid, at least one of the food service items including a pair of opposedstrap openings, arranging the stackable food service items in a stack,encircling the stack of food service items with a support band thatpasses through the strap openings, fixing ends of the support bandtogether, thereby maintaining the stack of food service items forlifting, and transporting the stack of food service items.

Embodiments further include providing a handle that includes a strapopening, passing the support band through the strap opening of thehandle, so that the support band encircles the stacked food serviceitems and passes through the handle, grasping the handle, and liftingthe handle, thereby lifting the stack of food service items inpreparation for transport thereof.

In any of the above embodiments, encircling the stack of food serviceitems cam include threading the support band through at least some ofthe strap openings.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the strap openings canbe open on an outer side thereof, thereby forming a C shape, and whereinencircling the stack of food service items includes inserting thesupport band into the open outer side of the strap opening thereof.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and,in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings,specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that thelanguage used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope ofthe inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a food carrying system to of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of a food container of the food carryingsystem of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a support band of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts an alternative food carrying system to of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of the food carrying system to of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 depicts a lid for a food container of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts an alternative lid for a food container of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts an alternative food carrying system of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts an alternative food carrying system of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts an alternative food carrying system of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts an alternative food carrying system of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 12 depicts an alternative food carrying system of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawing figures, in which like referencedesignators refer to like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a foodcarrying system 10, including a plurality of food containers 12 in astacked configuration and connected/linked together by a support band14. Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the food containers 12 caninclude a base 16 and a lid 18 that are affixable together to contain afood product. Any or all of the bases 16 and 18 can include a pair ofstrap openings 20 at opposing locations on an outer edge or flangethereof, or in discrete flange handles provided on opposing sidesthereof. The band 14 can be threaded through the strap openings 20 andabout the plurality of food containers 12, and the ends 22, 24 of theband 14 can be affixed together, thereby encircling the band 14 aboutthe plurality of food containers 12 and stabilizing the stackedconfiguration shown in FIG. 1 . The ends 22, 24 of the band 14 caninclude an adhesive 26 to join or affix the ends 22, 24 together. Theadhesive 26 can be on the same side of the band 14 or on opposite sidesof the band. 14. In other embodiments, the ends of the band can bejoined by hook-and-loop attachment, by snaps, hooks, buttons, tying ofthe ends in a knot, or by any other attachment means known in the art.

The encircling of the band 14 about the plurality of food containers 12can perform the function of sealing or bundling together a selectedgrouping of food containers 12, and slack in the band can providing ahand hold 28 that is useful for carrying the selected grouping of foodcontainers 12. When the carrying system 10 is lifted the weight of thecontainers 12 will pull the sides of the band 14 tight against the sidesof the stacked containers 12, and slack provided in the band 14 will notsubstantially reduce the stability of the stack 12 while it is carried.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in an embodiment the ends 22, 24 of the band 14can each include a through hole 30, wherein the through holes 30 aresubstantially aligned with each other when the ends 22, 24 of the band14 are attached together, thus forming a handle 32 for carrying theselected grouping of food containers 12. In similar embodiments, aseparate handle configured with a strap opening 20 is threaded onto theband 14.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the plurality of containers 12 can includea beverage holder 34 configured for holding one or more drink containers35, such as cups, cans and the like. The beverage holder 34 can includea base portion 36 and a support portion 38, which are connectable. Eachof the base portion 36 and support portion 38 can include strap openings40 positioned on their outer edges, through which the band 14 can bethreaded. The support portion 38 can include a plurality of cutouts 42,though which a drink container 35 can be positioned. The base portion 36can include a plurality of indented sections 44, which are aligned withthe cutouts 42 in the support portion 36, and are configured to receivean end of the drink container 35. In this manner, the combination of thecutouts 42 and indented portions 44 function to secure the drinkcontainer 35 in the beverage holder 34. In use, the beverage holder 34can be positioned on the top of a stack of food containers 12, wherebythe band 14 is threaded through and about the stacked food containers 12and beverage holder 34. The ends 22, 24 of the band 14 are affixedtogether, locking the band 14 about the stacked food containers 12 andthe beverage holder 34.

With reference to FIG. 6 , in an alternate embodiment food container 50is provided, where the container 50 includes a base (not shown) and alid 52 that can be affixed together to contain a food product. The lid52 of food container 50 can include a pair of strap openings 54, onopposite sides of the lid 52. A plurality of the food containers 50 canbe linked into a stack 10 by threading a band 14 through the strapopenings 54 and about the plurality of food containers 50, and affixingthe ends 22, 24 of the band 14 together so that the band 14 encirclesthe plurality of food containers 50. In this embodiment, the bases ofthe containers 50 do not include strap openings. However, in similarembodiments the bases can include strap openings that are co- alignedwith openings 54.

With reference to FIG. 7 , in yet another embodiment food container 60is substantially similar to food container 50, except that the strapopenings 64 are open at their outer edges, substantially forming a“C-shape” rather than a closed oval. As in the embodiment of FIG. 6 ,the embodiment of FIG. 7 includes a base (not shown) and a lid 62 thatare affixable together to contain a food product. The strap openings 64that are provided on opposite sides of the lid 62 can be utilized tolink a plurality of food containers 60 together by threading a band 14through the strap openings 64 and about the plurality of food containers60 and affixing the ends 22, 24 of the band 14 together, therebyencircling the band 14 about the plurality of food containers 60.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 further allows the strap to be installed, andfor containers to be subsequently added, removed, and or exchanged inthe stack, without a need to unthread and re-thread the band 14sequentially through the strap openings 64. Instead, the strap 14 can besimply installed and withdrawn from the strap openings 64 through theouter open edges of the strap openings 64.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 , the base of the container does not includecorresponding openings. However, in similar embodiments the base caninclude strap openings that are similar in position and structure tostrap openings 64.

Referring to FIG. 8 , in an alternative embodiment, the food carryingsystem 70 includes combinations of one or more food containers 72 anddinnerware items 74. Each of the food containers 72 can include a lid 78and base 80 affixable together to contain a food product. Each of thedinnerware items 74 can include a base portion 82 and a pair of strapopenings 84 positioned on opposite sides of the dinnerware items 74. Thefood containers 72 and dinnerware items 74 can be positioned/stacked inan alternating arrangement, such that band 14 can be threaded throughthe strap openings 84 in the dinnerware items 74 and positioned aboutthe stacked food containers 72, where the ends 22, 24 of the band 14 canbe affixed together, thereby encircling the stacked food containers 72and dinnerware items 74 and locking the band 14 about the stacked foodcontainers 72 and dinnerware items 74. The locking of the band 14 aboutthe stacked food containers 72 and dinnerware items 74 can perform thefunction of sealing together the stacked food containers 72 anddinnerware items 74, as well as providing a hand hold 28 for carryingthe stacked food containers 72 and dinnerware items 74 (similar to thearrangement shown in FIG. 1 ). Strap openings 84 may be configured withopenings at their outer edges, substantially forming a “C-shape”.Dinnerware items 74 may consist of one or more types such as plates,trays, or bowls.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate alternative stacking configurations, includingfood containers 72, dinnerware items 74, and beverage holders 86. It isnoted that these are not the only configurations included within thescope of the present disclosure, and that all alternative configurationsare included in the disclosure that allow for a band 14 to be threadedthrough strap openings 84 to secure together a stacking of foodcontainers 72, dinnerware items 74, and/or beverage holder 86, as wellas providing a hand hold for carrying such.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 8-12 , it is noted that the food containers72 do not include strap openings for receiving the band 14. Instead,only the dinnerware items (trays) 74 and beverage holders 86 includestrap openings 84, and these secure the band 14. In similar embodiments,the food containers 72 also include strap openings as discussed above.

In the above noted embodiments, the food containers 72, dinnerware items74, and beverage holders 34 may be of a variety of shapes, sizes,configurations, and may be constructed from materials such as paper,plastic, foam, bagasse, laminated materials, compostable materials,biodegradable materials, bioplastics, recycled materials, and/or plasticblends and compounds. The lids and bases may also be constructed ofdifferent materials, such as a clear plastic lid and a bagasse base.

In any of the above embodiments the band 14 may be constructed of paper,plastic, bagasse, laminated materials, compostable materials,biodegradable materials, non-wovens, recycled materials, and orcomposites thereof. The band may be made in a variety of configurationswith varying length, width, and thickness according to the design of thecontainer handles. The ends of band 14 may be affixed together by avariety of techniques known in the art including knot tying, snaps,buttons, adhesives, hook and loop material, stapling, and/or otherfastening methods.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each andevery page of this submission, and all contents thereon, howevercharacterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive partof this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placementwithin the application. This specification is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure.

Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms,the scope of the invention is not limited to just these forms, but isamenable to various changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof. The disclosure presented herein does not explicitlydisclose all possible combinations of features that fall within thescope of the invention. The features disclosed herein for the variousembodiments can generally be interchanged and combined into anycombinations that are not self-contradictory without departing from thescope of the invention. In particular, the limitations presented independent claims below can be combined with their correspondingindependent claims in any number and in any order without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure, unless the dependent claims are logicallyincompatible with each other.

I claim:
 1. A food carrying system comprising: a plurality of stackablefood service items, said items including at least one stackablecontainer having a base and a lid, at least one of the food serviceitems including a pair of opposed strap openings; and a support bandconfigured for threading through the strap openings and encircling thefood service items when stacked, ends of said band being configured formutual engagement with each other, thereby enabling said encircled foodservice items to be maintained in a stack during lifting and transport.2. The food carrying system of claim 1, wherein the lid of the stackablecontainer includes a pair of the opposed strap openings.
 3. The foodcarrying system of claim 1, wherein the base of the stackable containerincludes a pair of the opposed strap openings.
 4. The food carryingsystem of claim 1, wherein for at least one of the food service itemsthe strap openings are formed in a surrounding edge thereof.
 5. The foodcarrying system of claim 1, wherein for at least one of the food serviceitems the strap openings are formed in a surrounding flange thereof. 6.The food carrying system of claim 1, wherein for at least one of thefood service items the strap openings are formed in opposing flangehandles thereof.
 7. The food carrying system of claim 1, wherein thefood service items further include a dinnerware item.
 8. The foodcarrying system of claim 7, wherein the dinnerware item is a plate. 9.The food carrying system of claim 7, wherein the dinnerware item is atray.
 10. The food carrying system of claim 1, wherein the ends of thesupport band include openings configured for mutual alignment when theends of the band are fixed together, said openings thereby forming ahandle useful for carrying the stacked food service items.
 11. The foodcarrying system of claim 1, further comprising a handle, said handlecomprising a strap opening through which the support band can bethreaded so as to facilitate carrying the stacked food service items.12. The food carrying system of claim 1, wherein at least one of thestrap openings is closed, thereby forming an oval shape.
 13. The foodcarrying system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the strap openingsis open on an outer side thereof, thereby forming a C shape.
 14. Thefood carrying system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the foodservice items does not include strap openings.
 15. A method ofmaintaining and transporting a stack of food service items, the methodcomprising: providing a plurality of stackable food service items, saiditems including at least one stackable container having a base and alid, at least one of the food service items including a pair of opposedstrap openings; arranging the stackable food service items in a stack;encircling the stack of food service items with a support band thatpasses through the strap openings; fixing ends of the support bandtogether, thereby maintaining the stack of food service items forlifting; and transporting the stack of food service items.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising: providing a handle that includesa strap opening; passing the support band through the strap opening ofthe handle, so that the support band encircles the stacked food serviceitems and passes through the handle; grasping the handle; and liftingthe handle, thereby lifting the stack of food service items inpreparation for transport thereof.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereinencircling the stack of food service items includes threading thesupport band through at least some of the strap openings.
 18. The methodof claim 15, wherein at least one of the strap openings is open on anouter side thereof, thereby forming a C shape, and wherein encirclingthe stack of food service items includes inserting the support band intothe open outer side of the strap opening thereof.